Showing posts with label mecca. Show all posts

Fast February

Hello little birds!

I don’t know about y’all but I blinked and February was GONE, plain GONE. We’re already in the last week. It’ll be March far sooner than I’d like it to be. I had so many plans for this blog for February but as we all know, life is what happens in the interim.
So without further ado, here’s an update on the things making my life easier (and prettier) during this rapidly disappearing month!


(pictured L-R; TopShop bikini top, Sportsgirl earrings, Sugar & Cotton ‘Unicorn’ make-up brushes, Neutrogena Hand Cream, Dr Dennis Hydration Booster, La Mer ‘The Renewal Oil’, Urban Decay Illuminated Trio, This Works Energy Boost, Too Faced Sweet Peach Creamy Oil Gloss, the Modern Renaissance Palette by Anastasia Beverly Hills, Samantha Wills Bohemian Bardot ring, Quay sunnies, Mecca Cosemetica Mineral Sunscreen, Byredo Bal D’Afrique EDP)


TopShop Frill Bikini Set

Years ago I bought a pair of Alannah Hill bikini bottoms on discount that were white and navy striped. High waisted, flattering, rouched at the front, perfect! Except… no matching top in my size. Oy.
So for the last few years I’ve mixed and matched different tops, never quite finding the right one. This summer, however, we’ve had a break through!
The perfect shade of blue to compliment the stripes, a flattering frill, and a top that holds the gals down. This top does come with a matching bottom, but as said, bottoms were well taken care of.

Sportsgirl Tassel Earrings

Rose gold, and opalescent stones, and little beads and aahhhh. I saw these earrings in store and I don’t even really remember picking them up, I just sort of walked out with them in a bag? Like the need to purchase them was so strong I forgot actually purchasing them? Anyway they have become my favourite go-to statement accessory, and earned themselves some mass Instagram love the first time I wore them. And of course rose gold – how could I not?

Sugar & Cotton Unicorn Brushes

Ooooh boy. If you saw my Instagram post a few weeks back you’ll know all about these dreamboats. Ethically made brushes from a new start up, crafted to look like unicorn horns, with part of the proceeds going towards US student literacy programs. What’s not to love?!
They’re so, so ridiculously soft and just so damn pretty I know I’ll love them forever.

Neutrogena Hand Cream

This $7.50 hand cream comes pharmacy recommended and it’s the only thing that takes care of my weird psoriasis-dermatitis-eczema thing on my hands (that are always dry anyway) that oddly comes up whenever I’m super stressed? Anyway this balm is a literal life saver. I’m talking my hands being so badly chapped and dried that they were cracking and bleeding – this is the only thing that helps them and does a proper job of it.

Dr Dennis Gross MD Hydration Boost

Ohmygod do I love this stuff. Ohmygod ohmygod. It can be used as a serum, mixed into moisturiser, mixed into make up, pressed on top of make up… Ah!
I use this as my serum and my skin loves it. Plump, juicy skin results and I don’t get that awful ‘tight’ feeling during the day, even if I’m wearing a full face of make up.

La Mer ‘The Renewal Oil’

This has been a long time coming, and by that I mean, I’ve saved my pretty pennies and used vouchers and waited until I absolutely could not live without this anymore. The Renewal Oil combines Miracle Broth with natural actives to revitalise and restore the skin. For me? It takes care of dry patches, evens my skin out, helps any blemishes to heal themselves up a little quicker, also aids in preventing blemishes from happening sometimes, and gives my skin that Chrissy Teigen glow which really, aside from everything she cooks and her #goals marriage and cute bubba, isn’t that what we all want? Hot tip from Clare at Mecca; sleep in a layer of this over Sunday Riley’s Good Genes (which I’ve raved about before) for the best, glowiest, freshest skin of yo’ life. It’s actually life changing skin care.

Urban Decay Illuminated Trio

I’m sorry to say this guy was limited edition, but I’m not sorry to say that I got it and I love it and and and just look at the swatches! Look at them! Look at the pigment! The shimmer! The glow! 


I love layering them one over the other for a multidimensional, unique glow look. I also love brushing the shade ‘Oasis’ over my shoulders and collarbones on a night out.

This Works Energy Breathe 

My best friend during stressful, thesis, I-can’t-do-this-anymore-and-I’ve-exceeded-my-daily-caffeine-limit friend, this guy has actually been helping me get to sleep on these particularly sticky, awful summer nights. Something about the aromatherapy benefits must really work with my system – my head feels clearer, my body unwinds, and I can feel myself relaxing as soon as this guy’s rolled over my pulse points. Is it a placebo affect? I honestly don’t care. To be able to fall asleep within 10-15 minutes of going to bed is amazing for me and my highly strung brain. So regardless of whether it’s “real” or not, it’s a winner for me.

Too Faced Sweet Peach Creamy Gloss Oils in Tickle Me Peach


You may have seen me sporting Stila’s Venezia on my Instagram posts because I love the coral-red shade – however matte lips aren’t always my best friend because my lips are almost always dry (like the rest of my skin). But I love that coral-red shade! Enter: new lips from Too Faced. Cream oil glosses that mildly stain the lip, provide hydration, smell like peach pie, and look really, really cute in Boomerangs. Check the swatch for colour pay-off – so bright! But still so buildable and creamy! Peachy perfect.

Anastasia Beverly Hills, the Modern Renaissance Palette
 Yup. I did it. The Insta famous, gorgeous, pigmented, heavenly palette is finally mine and as I’ve already said those pigments GOT ME SHOOK. 
Check the swatches.
YEAH. THOSE ARE REAL COLOURS. The Burnt Orange in particular is a new fave. Add the fact that I’ve studied Renaissance history and art quite a bit in my time, and this palette is well on its way to being one of my most coveted beauty possessions.
















Samantha Wills Bohemian Bardot Ring

Almost like red lipstick, but in jewellery form. Pretty much, no matter what I’m wearing or doing, if I put this ring on I suddenly feel a heck of a lot more sophisticated and cooler than I actually am. I adore Samantha Wills jewellery and I find the white stone works with pretty much everything in my wardrobe, whether it be boyfriend jeans and a tee, or a sun dress and Chucks.

QUAY Australia sunnies in Modern Love

These cat eye, matte black framed sunnies are not only my favourites, but they cover my whole eye area (I’m constantly getting burnt under my eyes which is the worst place to be burnt aside from the butt) and protect my eyes from sun strain. And they just look so gorgeous on! Gotta love being sun smart and chic.

Mecca Costmetica Mineral SPF 30

I’ve raved about this already but I need to go again because it’s seriously so lovely. No reactions, no break outs, and more importantly, no sunburn. I love this as a daily option, but also underneath my make up. My only tiny qualm is the pump doesn’t always want to be my friend, but even then it’s so easy to twist open! Yay for being sun smart!

Byredo Bal D’Afrique, EDP

This scent was inspired by Paris in the 1920’s at the beginning of the Modernist/jazz movement. Think the movie Midnight in Paris in parfum form. Personally I love it because it kinda smells like cake? Think heady summer evenings, buttery smooth vermouth and low jazz on a hot night, a haze of cigarette smoke in the air with the quiet French chatter in the background.

Links are in the titles because I figure if I love something maybe you’ll maybe like it a lot too. February was literally a blur, but these favourite things made it a fun, buttery-scented blur!
Until next time,

Tweet tweet xx

DECEMBER



Y’know how you watch someone do something you can’t, and aside from your first thought being HOLY SHITSNACKS THAT’S COOL, your next thought is, “Oh I wish I could do that”.

Well I get that every time I watch Natasha complete a make-up application.

So at the end of this year, after watching her (not in a creepy way, like, in an admirable/we work in the same space way) talents she asked if I wanted a make up shake up session and I said a wholehearted all capslocked YAS because I have zero chill (literally zero, ask Tash and all of my friends and family).

We picked a day and I went over to her studio/house and we ate pasta with bacon, and then got stuck into changing up the mug of mine.
Natasha created two looks for me; one that was signature Tash glow, and another heavier, smokier look.

I prepped my skin with Eve Lom Hydration Serum, followed by La Mer Soft Lotion.

From Natasha;
SIGNATURE LOOK


 

I’m all about glowy skin and have a less is more attitude towards coverage. To get flawless coverage that looked minimal I mixed 1 part Ellis Faas with 1 part Josie Maran Illuminator (half foundation half liquid gold TBH) applied with a Zoeva flat kabuki.

On areas that need more coverage such as the chin and under the eyes, I buffed concealer using a fluffy domed shadow brush – this allows you to  blend the edges seamlessly and make concealer almost undetectable, it just looks like skin.

The skin always looks fresher with cream and liquid products so I always like to work with cream colours first. Stila convertible colours are my fave because they keep their shine and don’t dry matte and for cream highlighter I can’t go past Copacobana (by Nars). Skin was set with Hourglass Diffused Light (on a fluffy brush applied very lightly), warmed up with Luminous Bronze Light and extra glowed with Mecca Enlightened.

My take;
I still can’t believe that Tash took products I already used and made me look completely different with them. Natasha also gave me a very soft, semi-natural, glowing bronze-based eye that I really loved. It wasn’t overly dramatic but it was a little more lined that I’d usually go for and I loved it. Thought we did have an almost hiccup – Tash forgot I’m allergic to Too Faced Chocolate Bar (I KNOW I’M SO UPSET) and almost came at me with it haha! Luckily we went for Too Faced Sweet Peach instead (palette returning soon, according to Snapchat!) which provided all the warm, rosy-bronze shades you see below. Natasha also used a Stila Smudge Stick along my waterline to create that super sexy, not-too-overdone look.

Natasha’s Take;
DRAMA EYE

 

Black smoky eye using MAC paint pot in Black Ground. It’s super pigmented and dries fast so use synthetic brushes – natural bristles just don’t cut it here. I applied this shadow all over the lid and pressed MAC Black Track shadow on top.

The trick to making a black smoky eye non-intimidating is to blend it out with brown, so I used a medium brown shade by Inglot and Too Faced Natural Matte (Sexpresso and Risqué – mostly under eye) on the border of the eye crease I used the orange shadow in that palette. Warm tones always soften it out and make it much more wearable. Use natural bristles here if possible!
Then I used a Stila Smudge Pot for the waterline and upper lash line – no flick, winged liner ruins smoky eyes and that’s when it becomes a glamour eye.

Amp up the skin with a deeper blush shade and add a bit of contour – Paloma by Nars here!

My take;
Not gonna lie, when Tash was getting her brush worked into the MAC black pot shadow I had a teeny tiny minor freak out because I’ve never ever ever EVER put black directly onto my own lid. Minor panic. Total faith in Natasha, but black is a tricky colour. And my version of a smoky eye almost always involves a wing (that was an interesting moment, I’ve never considered my make up style glam but whaddya know?). All of the layering, blending, dabbing, brushing, smoothing, buffing and smudging was incredible to experience. Natasha made it look easy as anything, never once faltering, even when my eyes pulled their “There’s-nothing-wrong-but-we’re-going-to-water-up-ANYWAY” trick. A favourite for every and any make-up artist I’ve ever had touching my face.

When she had finished I felt like a new woman. My eyes were a different shape, by far more sultry than anything I’d done before, and my wide, big eyes were actually a benefit here, because often smoky eyes lose half their effect when the eye is open. I was a bit chuffed to hear my big ol’ bug eyes were good for something.

Tash popped a Smashbox exclusive lip on me, Phil, a beautiful, perfect pinky-nude and that was beautiful too.

We did a bit of a photo shoot and I gotta tell ya that was probably the best bit. Tash told me to be serious and sexy and sultry and anyone who has a friend knows the minute you try pulling serious sexy faces this happens;



Ten minutes later we had some great shots and a cute Boomerang to boot.

WHAT I TOOK AWAY
I’m on the right track with Ellis Faas and Josie Maran. The way I apply my concealer has completely changed, and whilst I haven’t yet attempted the smoky eye on my own, I have tried the glowy bronze look and I found it easier to do after Natasha’s tips!

THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME FOR THE 12 DAYS OF BLOGMAS! Enjoy Christmas and New Year’s, little birds, and I’ll see you for more beauty-ful adventures in 2017.


Tweet tweet xx

NOVEMBER

As it turns out, old birds can learn new tricks.



I picked up Zoe Foster-Blake’s book in the last weeks of October, gripped by post-thesis glee and living in oh-those-other-five-assessments-don’t-matter-denial. To put my excitement into context; I could’ve bought Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, or Amazinger Face – and I bought Zoe’s book. I am probably the biggest Harry Potter fan you’ll meet and I’d been itching to get my hands on the script… but I chose Zoe. I also made the foolish assumption that I’d be able to put this book down and focus on those pesky last five (FIVE. FIVE GUYS. I WROTE 15,500 WORDS AND STILL HAD TO DO 5 ASSESSMENTS) assessments.

I was wrong.

Amazinger Face hooked me in with its quirky page design and pretty aesthetic. The writing style is pretty close to how I talk to customers about beauty and skincare, and each page (pretty much) had something new that I hadn’t learnt or heard about before. It was the first book I read this year that wasn’t university or thesis related (aside from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, but that’s different… I read that at least once a year #sorrynotsorry).

The book really is like a guide to beauty/haircare/sunscreen/skincare/bodycare/feet for dummies, but Zoe never makes you feel dumb for not knowing the things she’s telling you. It probably comes from her warm, self-deprecating sense of humour, as well as all of her years experience as a beauty editor. And it’s just so relatable! Who hasn’t picked up a How-To eyeshadow quad on sale and stuck to THAT for their entire make-up game for a year? (This girl here definitely did/has/might still do on occasion). The tone never gets too bossy, save for when Ms Foster-Blake discusses sun care, and that’s where I too toe the line. I have no time for people that ‘don’t burn, just tan’ or ‘don’t like sunscreen’. I don’t care, and you know who else doesn’t care? THE SUN. USE SPF. JUST DO IT.

The book is super easy to navigate as well; I used the index to flip through to the section on blow drying last night, actually, and woke up with hair that didn’t make me run away screaming, for once. Zoe has literally thought of everything, every possible disaster that can come up in the world of beauty.

If I had one qualm about the book (A SUDDEN GASP OF HORROR), it would be a minor one, and that is that it simply isn’t long enough.

Yup. That’s right. My one issue with the book is that there’s not enough book.
I understand that for readability and production and etc. etc. that the book is the way it is, but I really do enjoy Zoe’s style of writing, and I feel like there may be just a teeny, tiny bit more information to be squeezed out of that beauty-obsessed brain. That said, I can’t wait to see what title she gives the next updated version in 5 years’ time when we’re all using bra chicken fillets to apply foundation (that’s actually a thing, check this link).

Ms Foster-Blake, if you’re reading this (oh sweet flippin’ Jesus if Zoe Foster-Blake read my blog I think I’d actually jump for joy!) I toff my imaginary hat to you. While I might’ve gotten a degree in something obscure this year (yay for ancient stuff!), when it comes to breaking down the beauty game you da real PhD.*

Tweet tweet x


*I don’t have a PhD btw, I might one day but now really isn’t the time to be making that decision* 

OCTOBER

Keep it simple, stupid.



October arrived far too quickly for my liking this year. That said it was probably because October saw me submitting my thesis, my brain baby, a piece of work ten months in the making, without doubt one of the biggest, hardest things I’ve ever done.

So why oh why would I complicate one of the trickiest times of my year by having an overly complicated beauty routine?

By October I’d perfected the ‘I’m-maybe-wearing-a-bit-of-make-up-but-it’s-so-minimal-I-could-also-not-be’ face for uni, days in the library, and days where a full face wasn’t immediately needed.

For all my skincare picks, flip back to the last post of blogmas.
Following my Too Faced Hangover Primer (ultra hydrating coconut-water based make-up prep) I usually turn to the Too Faced Natural Eyes palette. 












Sometimes I’ll prime, sometimes I won’t; I go for a mix of the two matte shades, Heaven and Nudie, as I find they colour correct my purple-toned lids and the Heaven shade (a light cream) brightens my eyes so I look awake. Then it’s time for brows – lightly filled in with the Hourglass Arch in warm brunette. A waterproof wax pencil that makes them look a little less sparse and a little more Brooke Shields. 





The one thing I refuse to give up or compromise on, even on days off, is mascara. Nope, not happening, NOT TODAY SON – the bigger and bolder my lashes, the more doll-like, the better. Lately I’ve been favouring the Perversion Mascara by Urban Decay (star of blogmas July), as it is the blackest black mascara imaginable.

















After eyes, I use my fingers to apply Bare MineralsComplexion Rescue in vanilla. The formula is an oil-free gel cream that gives medium coverage with SPF 30+ UVA/UVB protection, and a really dewy finish. 

Always followed by an under eye concealer – my pick being the Smashbox CameraReady BB Cream with SPF 15 (all the SPF possible) which brightens and colour corrects under the eye. The amazing thing about Smashbox is that all of their products – even the ones with SPF – don’t give a flashback when photographed. 



If I’m having a bad skin day (common in times of extreme stress, like thesis submission) I’ll conceal with Nars Radiant Creamy concealer in vanilla. It contains turmeric which helps any blemishes to heal, as well as tone down any redness.







For cheeks, I pop on a little Stila Convertible Colour inPetunia. A bright, happy pink that always makes me smile. Over the top of this I blend – you guessed it – Josie Maran Argan oil Illuminiser along my cheek bones, a tiny bit on my cupid’s bow and the tip of my nose.














Everything is set with Luminous Light by Hourglass and that’s it! My simple face, daily, easy-as, glowy, hydrating and all-round “Yes I do that Natural Beauty Thing” appropriate.

If you can’t do something simply you can’t hope to master it!

Tweet tweet xx

SEPTEMBER

Skin4theWin



This is a beauty blog (obviously) but aside from real beauty coming from within, real beauty also comes from what’s underneath your make-up – your skin! If you’ve been following me for a while you’ll know these three commonalities of my skin to be true;

1.      It still breaks out, despite the lack of adolescence
2.    SENSITIVITY OUT THE WA-ZOO; if there’s a way to freak out about something, my skin will find that way and ACE it (I’m nothing if not a high achiever)
3.    It likes to be dry, and not the good kind of martini dry, just plain dry
So by September this year I’d managed to settle myself into a routine that my skin actually not only tolerated, but seems to still thrive from.

DAYTIME
First things first (I’m the realest) I use a creamy cleanser (Swisse is still a fave, as is Kate Somerville Goat’s Milk) to wake myself up and get my skin ready for the day ahead. I then use a nourishing eye cream (Kate Somerville AgeArrest, ah!) followed by a hydrating serum, Dr Dennis Gross’s HydrationBooster. So, so good. I then pop on my moisturiser of choice (September, Darphin Hydraskin Rich, today, Drunk Elephant La La Retro Whip Cream) and to seal in all that skin-fun-time-goodness, a beautiful oil. My pick? Goldfaden MD Fleuressence. A blend of eight different oils designed for acneic, pimple-prone skin, that dries into the skin super quickly but leaves it luminous and fresh. Topped off with an SPF and ta-daaah! Skin is ready, prepped and excited to greet the day!

NIGHT TIME
Firstly – take off the mask. AaaaaAAAaLL the make-up. All the SPF. All the good stuff from the morning. Take it OFF with Nude Perfect Cleanse Omega Jelly. It’s amazing to smear your face like a Picasso and then rub it all off. Following this, I’ll either use Dr Dennis Gross Ultra Gentle Peel Pads or Sunday Riley Good Genes serum – NOT together. That’s a triple exfoliation. Dat’s bad.
If I’ve used a peel pad, I’ll be popping on more Dr Dennis Gross Hydration Booster (more water less problems). If not, I’ll follow with my moisturiser, or sometimes as a treat-yo-self, La Mer Concentrate (AH!) because it’s regenerative, hydrating and just beautiful. Following moisturiser – all of the oil. Ok, well, not all of it, but enough to make a lovely little barrier for my skin and to keep it lush.

Gotta tell ya, this routine hasn’t changed much and my skin is all the better for it. I’ve swapped out my serums as the weather’s changed this December, but this routine – cleanse, gentle exfoliation, hydrate, moisturise, nourish – it hasn’t steered me wrong yet!
#skingoalsalways


Tweet tweet xx

JUNE

Ok so you know how sometimes it takes you a while to get on board with something? Whether that be smashed avocado, matcha green lattes (still not quite there guys, give me time), Game of Thrones/Stranger Things/Black Mirror/- insert latest Netflix obsessive show here – or exfoliating with chemicals (still embarrassed about that one), sometimes it takes time to come around to something new.

That’s kind of what happened with La Mer and I. Not that I disliked the brand or anything – don’t get me wrong, I’m all for a luxe brand featuring a fish tank in David Jones – but not unlike, say, myself and a model working Melbourne Spring Fashion Week, we just never crossed paths. I might’ve passed on my way to Priceline and taken a glance, but never had a chance/opportunity/means of going to a La Mer counter, or visiting the shelves at Mecca in Myer.



Enter; The Mother of All Reactions. Ooh boy.
I’m not entirely sure why or how my skin felt the need to freak itself out over a light Argan oil blend, but BOY HOWDY did I hear that freak out loud and clear.

















My skin felt like it was cracking. So dry that no amount of my normal serum or moisturiser could help. Make-up? Not an option. My face just hurt. I can’t even really describe it; I just know that at one point I cried to Mumma Sparrow about how bad it all felt.
I knew I had a little sample of Crème de La Mer that I’d been holding onto for Mumma Sparrow, having read and heard all about its regenerative, healing properties. After consulting with Centaine (glossco.com.au) and sussing out whether the La Mer would worsen the situation (she assured me it wouldn’t) I decided to give it a crack.

The photo speaks for itself really. 



A week after using the original cream my skin was unrecognisable. I couldn’t believe it. Gone were the dry patches, and the redness, the uneven texture, and my face didn’t hurt anymore. Break outs… eh not much can be done about them when I’m unable to use AHA’s or any kind of spot treatment (skin dealing with a reaction shouldn’t use anything too active because the last thing it needs is something full-on to contend with) but the inflammation brought on by a break out most definitely died down.
As winter wound its way through Melbourne I came back to La Mer again and again, eventually getting onto the Renewal Oil and I think it’s the main reason my skin didn’t totally collapse on itself during a harsh, cold season. La Mer is a brand I now trust absolutely and completely for my skin, and will probably have an everlasting love with til the day I forget what skincare is.


Tweet tweet xx

FEBRUARY

ELLIS FAAS
Do you know this woman? You should. You really, really should. She is a make-up revolutionary badass who changed the way runway faces were done for all fashion eternity.




An expert in both special effects and beauty artistry, Ellis Faas created a make-up line designed to mimic the skin. Every colour in the range is a colour that naturally occurs in the body, aside from the metallic shadows and the neon lips (how cool would naturally neon lips be though?). Boundary pushing is the key theme, friends.
ELLIS FAAS IMAGE DECEMBER 2016
Think perfect, almost translucent, glowing skin as the base, with high couture, creative expression everywhere and anywhere. Eye colours as lip colours, and cheek tints, concealer as highlight and contour, literally  no rules and every rule completely broken. Think of the woman who was one of the first to use gold leaf on runway models, one of the muses of the great Karl, and an all-round badass who does beauty her way. Uncompromising, raw, beautiful.

 My pick? Eye Lights and the Skin Veil foundation. 

 Eye Lights re-create the effect of foiling on the lid, giving a metallic, iridescent finish to any look. Absolutely stunning on every skin tone, coming in green, silver, bronze-red, purple, silver-green – all of your goddess/ethereal dreams brought to life.

Now the Skin Veil foundation is exquisite; aside from her setting powders, every piece of make-up created by Ellis Faas is in liquid form, as she believes this is closest to us humans, being 70% water based. The foundation is liquid-crème, full coverage, and extremely hydrating. It leaves the skin with a natural glow, so it appears you’ve been running through a flowery meadow with fairies and woodland creatures. It’s lightweight but enough to cover up any scarring or discolouration in the skin, and it’s been one of my favourites all the yearlong. The mineral ingredients allow the foundation to become one, seamlessly, with the skin, and because it layers quickly and evenly it’s super ridiculously easy to build up your coverage. 



My top picks from the line-up: Skin Veil foundation S101, Hot Lips in L402 (the amount of compliments I get wearing this colour is insane and makes me feel like a Kardashian) and Eye Lights in E302, green-gold that makes it seem as though you have the gilded eyes of an ancient statue. Ah-mazing!
To the left (to the left) is Ellis L402 on yours truly headed to a soiree in March. Lip didn't budge the whole night through, even with double shots of Tequila and lemon. Somehow I think Ellis would approve....






Tweet tweet x
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